Scaffold support



Jam- 27, 1948. P, THOMSON 2,435,050

SCAFFOLD SUPPORT Filed Aug. 12, 1946 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 jg. E

INVENTOR.

PEJEET Thu m5 m1 ATTORNEYS. v

Jan. 27, 194%. P. THOMSON SCAFFOLD SUPPORT Filed Aug. 12, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. T h D m 5 D TL ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 27, 1948 NITED STATES PATENT FlCE SCAFFOLD SUPPORT Peter Thomson, Wilmington, Del.

Application August 12, 1946, Serial No. 689,904

Claims. 1

This invention relates to supports and more particularly to supports or trestles for scaffolding and the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a support which is an improvement over portions of the supports disclosed in my United States Patents No. 2,090,969, dated August 24, 1937; No. 2,161,239, dated June 6, 1939; and No. 2,162,651, dated June 13, 1939.

Another important object is to provide a novel support or trestle for scaffolding, including a pair of normally upwardly-converging legs and a cross member, with novel means operatively connecting the cross member with the legs and providing for adjustment, longitudinally of the legs, whereby the means has dual functions and provides for a sturdy, yet somewhat flexible connection of cross member and legs.

Still another'important object is to provide a new and improved tie rod, connecting the legs of the support, the tie rod providing a rest and canting-preventing means for scaffolding, the tie rod being free of means such as bolts, nuts, screws or pins for adiustably positioning it longitudinally of the legs. Since there are no bolts, screws or pins associated with the tie rod, there are no cooperating holes or perforations in the legs to accommodate such bolts, screws or pins.

Yet another object is to provide a tie rod, having the characteristics mentioned, for association with other means to assure thatv even large scaffolding, supported by the tie rod, will not cant.

Among other objects is to provide a tie rod, freely slidable and adjustable longitudinally of the support legs, but prevented from sliding off the legs (and becoming lost, thereby) by means having other functions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a portion of this specification, and in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the novel trestle, supporting an end portion of scaffolding.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the trestle of Fig. 1, with the portion of scaffolding in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the lower portions of the novel trestle, longitudinally adjusted differently from the showing in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan of a novel tie rod, forming an important part of the trestle.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section-through an adjustable connection between trestle legs and a cross member, which effects the adjustments noted between Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a view, partly in elevation and partly 2 in vertical section of the adjustable connection of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section through a leg of the trestle and one of the adjustable connections of Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the same and a leg Portion.

Figs. 9 and 10 are top plan and vertical'sections respectively of a means to detachably connect the trestle to a scaffolding.

Fig. 11 discloses a fragment of the adjustable connection of Figs. 5, 6 and 7, showing portions of a latch means therefor.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the novel adjustable tie rod of Fig. 4, associated with two legs of the trestle.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the novel foldable trestle or support is designated as A and scaffolding as B.

The foldable trestle or support A preferably includes a pair of normally upwardly-converging main supports or legs l0, each comprising two telescopic sections H and 12. At least one of the sections is hollow and slidably accommodates the other section. In the example shown, both sections are tubular and the lower section II slides within the upper section l2.

Feet l3 may be provided at the lower ends of the sections H and each foot may be a domeshaped member having a shank portion extending into the bore of the section II and secured to this section in any approved way. The upper end of the section ll may be flared, as at M to frictionally engage the inner periphery of the section l2, since the outer circumference of the section II is preferably somewhat less than the inner circumference of the section [2, having a clearance between them. The section II is provided with a longitudinal row of openings 15 for a purpose later detailed.

At the upper end portions of the upper sections l2 are preferably disposed means I6 to detachably connect the main supports I0 to a suitable portion of the scaffolding B. In the example shown, the means I6 is provided by the toothed flange member [1, shown particularly in Figs. 9 and 10, comprising a tubular portion l8 inserted into and suitably secured to the upper end portion of the section I2 and a toothed flange portion I9 extending from the upper end of the portion I8. The row of teeth are constructed and arranged to bite into the scaffolding portion when the main supports [0 are spread apart at their bottoms, as in Fig. 1, and thus provide scaffolding engaging edges for the legs [0. The flange member l'l may carry a hook portion l9 for detachably securing a brace rod to be subsequently described.

Secured to, preferably, the lower end of each upper section I2 is a carrier means 20, to which is operatively connected a cross member or the tie rod 2| and a plurality of arms or brace rods 22.

Each of the means 20 is shown, particularly in Fig, 5, as a modified T-coupling, including a sleeve portion 25 disposed about, preferably, the lower end portion of each upper section l2. The sleeve portion 25 may have an inturned flange 26 at its lower end, engaging the lower edge of the section l2 and, the sleeve portion 25 and its flange 26, in efiect, provide a socket for the lower end portion of the section l2. Extending outwardly from the sleeve portion 25 is a socket portion 21, constructed and arranged to accommodate an end portion of a cross member 2]. It will be noted, in Figs. 1 and 5, that the longitudinal axes of the sleeve portion 25 and socket portion 21 are not normal to each other since the legs l diverge downwardly and it is desirable that the cross member 2|, carried by each pair of legs Ill, be disposed substantially horizontal.

The cross member 2| is, as stated, carried by each pair of legs l0 and may be of any desired construction, as being of rigid or a somewhat round flexible, rod, a heavy wire cable or the like. The ends of the member 2| are loosely disposed within the socket portions 21, and secured thereto,

:in a pivotal connection, as by the pivot pin 28, whereby there is a possible rocking motion of the cross member 2| with respect to the socket portions 21,

In the example shown, the arms or brace rods 22 are operatively connected with the means 2|) (and the legs :eyed portion 30 and normally upper toothed por- Each arm 22 includes a lowermost tends from the socket portion 21. If desired, a

stop means 32 may be provided, as in Fig. 5, to prevent movement of the eyed portion 36 longitudinally of the cross member 2| and may be a cotter pin 33 extending through the cross mem er 2|, with a conventional washer 34 disposed between the pin 33 and eyed portion 30 and one side of the eyed portion in abutment with the edge of the socket portion 21. Thus, the arms 2| may be swung to extend upwardly or downwardly and when not in use they may be secured as by the hooks l9.

Preferably adjacent their toothed ends, each pair of arms 22 is connected by means tending to normally draw these ends together. Such means may be a retraction coil spring 35 connected to each arm. By this means, each pair of arms tend to come together at its upper ends and the teeth of the toothed upper portions 3| bites into the scaffolding B, as in Figs. 1 and 21.

Each pair of arms 22, when swung to the dotand-dash position of one thereof, of Fig. 2 provides a pair of auxiliar legs for each pair of less or main supports Iii while the support 'A is being attached to the scaffolding B as will be more fully described later.

In order to adjustably position the telescopic sections H and 12 an adjusting and retaining means 33 is provided for each main support Ill,

and shown more particularly in Figs. 7 and 8. This means 36 may comprise a substantially L- shaped member with one portion 31 thereon forming an outwardly-disposed handle and the other portion 38; extending through aligning openings in the sleeve portion. 25 and telescopic portion l2 and thence into any selected opening I 5 in the telescopic section I I. So that the means 36 will retain a set position when adjusted, the opening for the portion 38 in the sleeve Portion may be a slot 39, and the opening 40 in the section I a circular one, with the length of the slot 39 and diameter of the opening 40 being slightly greater than a pin or projection 4| extending transversely from the portion 38, spaced slightly inwardly of its inner end as is apparent in Fig. 7. This arrangement enables the operator to insert the portion 38 into the slot 39 and a selected opening l5, then turn the L-shaped member whereupon the projection 4| will rotate in the opening 40 and be disposed with its longitudinal axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the slot 39, whereupon the L -shaped member cannot drop accidently from the sleeve portion 25 and will retain the sections H and I2 in any adjusted positions.

A very important part of the novel support A is the tie rod or bracket means 45 shown particularly in Fig. 4. This means 45 may comprise a single length of rod stock formed into a pair of telescopic section-receiving eyed portions 45 with the axes of their openings in substantial parallelism and the eyed portions 45 joined together by a bridging portion 4'! provided with an upstanding calk or pointed projection 48, preferably intermediate its length. The eyed portions45 embrace a pair of legs II] at their upper sections I2 in a sliding relationship therewith and the openings in the eyed portions provide for a slight clearance between their inner faces and the peripheries of the portions l2.

Since these legs I8 are normally disposed in upwardlyeconverging relationship, as in Fig, 1, they will be canted with respect to the eyed portions 46 and, consequently will be in frictional engagement with different parts of the inner surface of each eyed portion 46, as is obvious. The projection or calk 48 is adapted to bite into the .under side of a scaffolding portion as will be described and retain the latter against transverse canting.

The scafiolding B may include a horizontallydisposed plank 50 with its side faces 5| vertical, and having a lower face or edge 52.

In use, each support A (at least two such supports should be used) is positioned or set up upon its two feet 13 and with the brace rods 22 directed downwardly (as in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2). Since the means represented by the contraction coil spring 35 tends to draw each pair of brace rods 22 together at their free ends. their eyed end portions will be canted with respect to the washers 34 and outer end faces or edge of the socket portions 2'! and this will provide a frictional hold to retain the brace rods 22 against movement when the support A is set up.

The heights of the supports A may now be adjusted, by inserting the portion 33 of each L-shapedmember in an appropriate opening l5 in each telescopic portion l l.

Of course, the novel bracket means 45 i above the carrier means 20. By drawing up on the means 45 the upper ends of the main supports ID will move away from each other so that the scaffolding B, such as the plank 50, may be in serted and its lower face or edge 52 contact the calks 48, whereby the latter will sink therein and the bracket means 45 will descend as far as it can, so that the upper end portions of the main supports Ill will draw together until the teeth thereof bites into the side faces 5| of the plank 50. This will hold the plank 50 in its correct position with each support A biting into it in three spaced-apart places, i. e., its two side faces 5| and bottom face 52. Thus there are provided two separate canting-preventing means for the plank 50 which, together, combine to retain the plank in a firm position with its faces 51 substantially vertical. The brace rods 22 may be swung upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the spring 35 will tend to cause their teeth to bite into the side faces of the plank at points remote from those occupied by the teeth of the telescopic sections 12. Thereupon the plank 50 will be bitten into at five spaced-apart places for each support employed, so as to prevent canting and sway of the plank.

Because of the particular relationship of the tie rod or bracket means 45 with the upwardly converging legs l0 whereby, when the upper portions of the latter are out of engagement with a scaffolding, as the plank 50, the former may be readily slid longitudinally of the legs but when the upper portions of the latter are in engagement with the scaifolding, the means 45 is held against sliding downwardly or moving upwardly along the legs.

It should be noted that, although the tie rod 45 is not attached to the legs I0, but is slidable therealong, it cannot slide off the legs entirely and become lost.

Various changes may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a trestle, a pair of normally upwardlyconverging legs including telescopic section and scafiolding-engaging means at their upper ends; a cross member bridging said legs; a pair of brace rods having scaffolding-engaging means at their upper ends, and eyed portions at their lower ends, and means for adjustably connecting said telescopic sections and supporting said cross member and being operatively connected with said brace rods at their eyed portions for swinging movement of said brace rods, including a pair of portions, one secured to one telescopic portion of one leg and the other secured to one telescopic portion of the other leg, a socket portion secured to each of said pair of portions and constructed and arranged to loosely accommodate an end of said cross member and a pivot pin for each socket portion, extending therethrough, and through an end of said cross member, the surfaces of said cross member within said socket portions being normally spaced from the inner faces of said socket portions.

2. In a trestle, a pair of normally upwardlyconverging legs including telescopic sections and having scaffolding-engaging means at their upper ends; a cross member bridging said legs; a pair of brace rods having scaffolding-engaging means at their upper ends, and eyed portions at their lower ends, and means for adjustably connecting said telescopic sections and supporting said cross member and being operatively connected with said brace rods at their eyed portions for swinging movement of said brace rods, including a pair of portions, one secured to one telescopic portion of one leg and the other secured to one telescopic portion of the other leg, a socket portion secured to each of said pair of portions, and constructedand arranged to loosely accommodate an end of said cross member, a pivot pin for each socket portion, extending therethrough and through an end of said cross member, the surfaces of said cross member within said socket portions being normally spaced from the inner faces of said socket portions, said eyed portions being disposed about said cross member at adjacent the outer ends of said socket portions; and means to limit movement of aid eyed portions toward the intermediate portion of said cross member.

3. In a trestle, a pair of normally upwardlyconverging legs having scaffolding-engaging means at their upper end portions; a, cross member below said means; means pivotally connecting the ends of said cross member to said legs; and a tie rod below said first mentioned means and above said cross member, having scaffolding resting and canting-preventing means for the scaffolding, and a pair of eyed portions embracing said legs with said legs in canted relationship therewith when said first-named means is in engagement with said scaffolding, said tie rod being slidable longitudinally of said legs when said first-named means is out of engagement with said scaffolding.

4. Ina trestle, a pair of normally upwardlyconverging legs having scaffolding-engaging means at their upper end portions; a cross member below said means; means pivotally connecting the ends of said cross member to said legs; and a tie rod below said first mentioned means and above said cross member including a central substantially horizontally-disposed portion, a pointed projection extending upwardly therefrom and an eyed portion extending outwardly from each end of said central portion, said eyed portions being disposed about said legs, with said legs in canted relationship therewith when said first-named means is in engagement with said scaffolding, said tie rod being slidable longitudinally of said legs when said first-named means is out of engagement with said scafiolding.

5. In a trestle, a pair of normally upwardlyconverging leg having scaffolding-engaging means at their upper end portions comprising a toothed flange member extending outwardly from each upper end portion; a cross member below said means; means pivotally connecting the ends of said cross member to said legs; and a tie rod below said first mentioned means and above said cross member, having scafiolding resting and canting-preventing means for the scaffolding, and a pair of eyed portions embracing said legs with said legs in canted relationship therewith when said first-named means is in engagement with said scafiolding, said tie rod being slidable longitudinally of said legs when said firstnamed means is out of engagement with said scaffolding, the diameter of the opening in each of said eyed portions being less than the diameter of any of said flange members.

PETER THOMSON.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Anderson July 15, 1924 Number 

